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FAREWELL  REMARKS 


OF 


SECRETARY  OF   STATE  WILLIAM  JENNINGS  BRYAN 


STATE  SENATOR  LEE  C.  GATES 

BEFORE  THE  CALIFORNIA  LEGISLATURE  OF  1913,  UPON  THE  DEPARTURE 
OF  OUR  SECRETARY  FOR  WASHINGTON. 


Mr.  Secretary  Bryan  addressed  the  conference  as  follows : 

{Governor  Johnson,  Lieutenant  Governor  Wallace,  Speaker  Young  and 
Members  of  the  Legislature : 

As  I  am  departing  this  afternoon  for  Washington,  I  deem  it  proper 
(that  I  should  say  a  final  word  to  you.  My  coming,  at  the  President's 
request,  upon  the  mission  that  brought  me,  was  unusual,  and  yet  in 
the  President's  opinion,  not  only  right  in  principle  but  wise  in  policy. 
[it  was  in  keeping  with  his  own  course  in  appearing  in  person  to  deliver 
[a  message  to  Congress.  He  recognizes  the  division  of  the  powers  of 
government  among  the  three  departments,  the  Executive,  the  Legislative 
land  the  Judicial,  but  he  feels  that,  as  they  must  co-operate  in  the 
conduct  of  the  government,  there  should  be  the  utmost  frankness  and 
cordiality  between  them  in  the  performance  of  their  respective  duties. 
In  like  manner,  while  he  recognizes  the  division  of  responsibility 
between  the  Federal  Government  and  the  several  states,  he  believes  that 
this  division  should  not  preclude  conference  and  consultation  between 
the  executive  of  the  nation  and  those  entrusted  by  your  state  constitu 
tion  with  the  exercise  of  state  authority. 

A  question  having  arisen,  which,  while  local  in  its  immediate  opera 
tion,  is  yet  national  and  even  international  in  some  of  its  phases,  he 
ventured  to  advise  against  the  use  of  certain  language  in  bills  which 
were  under  consideration.  When  it  seemed  probable  that  the  words 
[would  be  used,  notwithstanding  the  advice  he  had  earnestly  given,  he 
I  asked  whether  it  would  be  agreeable  to  the  Legislature  to  have  the 
|  Secretary  of  State  visit  Sacramento  to  confer  in  regard  to  the  national 
and  international  phases  of  the  question.  The  reply  made  by  the 
( Legislature  was  in  the  form  of  a  resolution  which  reads  as  follows: 

"Resolved,  By  the  Senate  of  the  State  of  California,  that  while 
this  Senate  respectfully  maintains  the  right  of  the  Legislature 
of  the  State  of  California  to  legislate  on  the  subject  of  land 

395843 


ownership,  withig  .the  .state,  it  will  be  entirely  agreeable  to  the 
Senate  to  have,  the  Secretary'  of  State  of  the  United  States  visit 
Sacramento  for  the  purposes  indicated  in  the  President's  tele 
gram  ;  and  be  it  further 

"Resolved,  That  in  view  of  the  probable  early  adjournment  of 
the  Legislature,  the  Secretary  of  the  Senate  be  and  is  hereby 
instructed  to  transmit  forthwith  these  resolutions  by  telegraph 
to  the  President." 

If  this  telegram  could  not  be  construed  as  an  invitation,  it  at  least 
expressed  full  acquiescence,  and  the  President  felt  so  deeply  upon  the 
subject  that  he  sent  me  here  to  confer  with  you. 

I  need  not  recount  the  experiences  through  which  we  have  passed. 
The  Legislature,  in  so  far  as  it  has  acted,  has  found  it  inconsistent  with 
its  view  of  its  responsibility  to  follow  the  President's  advice  in  the 
wording  of  the  law  which  it  regards  as  its  duty  to  enact.  While  I  shall 
not  attempt  to  form  a  judgment  as  to  the  action  of  the  Assembly  on 
this  subject,  I  have  so  fully  presented  the  President's  views  that  I  do 
not  deem  a  longer  stay  necessary.  On  the  contrary,  I  feel  that  I  can 
be  more  useful  at  Washington  when  the  President  has  before  him  the 
bill  as  it  reaches  the  Governor,  if  it  shall  finally  pass  the  Assembly. 

I  can  not,  however,  take  my  departure  without  giving  expression  to 
my  appreciation  of  the  spirit  in  which,  as  a  representative  of  the  Presi 
dent,  I  have  been  received,  and  of  the  courtesies  that  have  been  shown 
me  at  all  times  by  Governor  Johnson,  by  Lieutenant  Governor  Wal 
lace,  by  Speaker  Young  and  by  the  members  of  both  the  Senate  and 
Assembly.  The  amity  that  has  characterized  our  intercourse  with  the 
officials  of  this  state  is  in  keeping,  I  think,  with  the  course  that  is 
pursued  by  those  who,  acting  under  a  sense  of  responsibility  about 
matters  in  which  they  are  jointly  concerned,  are  unable  to  agree  upon 
the  means  to  be  employed  in  reaching  the  end  in  view.  The  President 
has  impressed  upon  me  at  all  times  that  I  should  emphasize  the  fact  that 
his  only  purpose  is  to  confer  with  the  Legislature  as  to  the  national  and 
international  phases  of  the  question  under  consideration,  and  that  he 
confers  not  as  an  unsympathetic  friend  but  as  one  who  desires  to  aid  to 
the  extent  of  his  ability  where  he  has  not  only  a  constitutional  duty  to 
perform,  but  where  he  may  be  assumed  to  be  able  to  judge  of  the  effect 
of  legislation  upon  our  relations  with  other  countries.  He  has  pointed 
out  the  things  which  seem  to  him  unwise  in  the  bill  that  has  passed  the 
Senate.  The  first  words  to  which  he  calls  attention  are  "eligible  to 
citizenship,"  which  are  as  clearly  discriminating  as  the  words  "ineli 
gible  to  citizenship,"  against  which  he  so  earnestly  advises.  In  the 
second  paragraph  the  property  rights  of  those  therein  described  are 
defined  as  they  are  defined  in  the  treaty.  He  fears  that  this  will  raise 
a  question  of  construction  and  involve  the  subject  in  a  law  suit  that 


-  3  - 

may  be  both  irritating  and  protracted.  I  have  submitted  to  him  the 
suggestion — but,  owing  to  his  absence  from  Washington  just  at  this 
time,  have  been  unable  as  yet  to  secure  an  answer — that  a  time  limit 
upon  any  bill  which  you  pass  might  reduce  to  a  minimum  the  unfavor 
able  influence  it  exerts,  if  that  influence  is  unfavorable.  If,  for 
instance,  any  bill  that  you  pass  dealing  with  the  subject,  is  limited  in 
its  operations  to  two  years — or  even  four  years,  but  two  years  would 
give  opportunity  for  the  next  Legislature  to  act  upon  the  subject — it 
would  afford  an  opportunity  for  diplomatic  effort  with  the  hope  that 
the  situation  could  be  so  improved  as  to  make  a  re-enactment  of  the 
law  unnecessary.  Assuming  that  the  people  of  California  will  be 
satisfied  to  reach  the  end  which  they  desire  by  methods  which  will 
cause  the  least  friction  between  this  and  other  nations,  this  suggestion 
is  made  for  the  consideration  of  those  who  have  yet  to  act  upon  the 
subject.  * 

If  the  Legislature  is  willing  to  avoid  the  use  of  the  words  "^eligible  to 
citizenship"  or  "ineligible  to  citizenship,"  I  am  authorized  to  suggest 
that  the  line  might  be  drawn  at  another  point,  namely,  between  those 
whose  right  to  own  land  is  defined  by  treaty  and  those  whose  right  to 
own  land  is  not  defined  by  treaty,  the  former  to  be  allowed  to  own 
according  to  the  terms  of  the  treaty  and  the  latter  to  be  allowed  to 
hold  on  the  same  terms  that  citizens  of  the  United  States  hold  land. 
But  the  President  desires  me  to  keep  before  you  at  all  times  the  fact 
that  he  would  prefer,  if  consistent  with  your  views  of  the  State's 
interests,  to  have  all  action  deferred  for  a  time  sufficient  to  permit  him 
to  employ  diplomatic  means. 

In  conclusion,  let  me  recall  his  preferences  as  they  have  been  stated  to 
you  before : 

First — The  postponement  of  action  at  this  time,  reminding  you  again 
that  under  your  constitution  the  Legislature  can  be  convened  at  any 
time  to  deal  with  the  subject  as  the  necessities  of  the  case  may  require. 

Second — If  action  is  deemed  necessary,  he  would  prefer  such  action 
as  has  been  taken  by  the  State  of  Illinois,  where  no  distinction  is  made 
between  aliens  and  a  liberal  time  allowed  during  which  an  alien  can 
hold  property. 

Third — If  it  is  deemed  necessary  to  still  further  restrict  the  holding 
of  property,  he  prefers  such  a  law  as  the  District  of  Columbia  now  has, 
where  the  ownership  of  real  estate  is  confined  to  citizens  and  those  who 
have  declared  their  intention  of  becoming  citizens. 

Fourth — Whatever  the  form  of  the  law,  he  earnestly  advises  against 
words  intended  to  draw  a  distinction  between  those  eligible  to  citizen 
ship  and  those  ineligible. 

Having  performed  the  duty  imposed  upon  me  by  tKe  Chief  Executive 
of  the  nation,  my  work  is  done.  You  have  listened  patiently  and 


courteously,  and  now  the  responsibility  rests  upon  you  to  do  what  you 
deem  necessary,  recognizing,  as  you  doubtless  do,  that  you  act  not  only 
as  the  representatives  of  the  state  dealing  with  lands  lying  within  the 
state,  but  as  the  representatives  of  a  state  occupying  a  position  among 
her  sister  states  and  sharing  with  them  an  interest  in  and  responsibility 
for  international  relations. 

You  are  fortunate  in  this  State  in  having  the  initiative  and  refer 
endum.  The  initiative  spurs  you  on  to  do  that  which  you  believe 
your  people  want  done,  while  the  referendum  empowers  those  for  whom 
you  speak  to  put  their  veto  upon  your  acts  if  you  fail  to  reflect  their 
wishes.  It  may  be  assumed,  therefore,  that  if  you  feel  it  your  duty 
to  enact  any  legislation  on  this  subject  at  this  time,  your  people  will 
either  manifest  their  approval  by  acquiescence,  or  their  disapproval  by 
submitting  your  action  to  the  judgment  of  the  voters  by  means  of  the 
•referendum. 

I  leave  you  with  renewed  assurances  of  the  President's  friendly 
concern  in  the  subject  with  which  you  are  dealing,  and  my  appreciation 
of  the  kind  reception  whicn  you  have  accorded  me.  as  his  spokesman.  ^ 

Senator  Gates,  in  response,  spoke  as  follows : 

MR.  PRESIDENT:  If  I  may  be  permitted  to  speak  the  sentiments  of 
this  Legislature  at  this  moment,  I  beg  to  convey  to  the  Secretary  of 
State  of  our  nation,  and  through  him  to  the  chief  executive  whom  we 
delight  to  honor  and  follow  in  all  respects  and  to  every  degree,  which 
we  believe  consonant  with  our  duty  to  our  state  and  to  the  work 
entrusted  to  us  upon  this  coast:  I  would  say  that  this  Legislature 
appreciates  to  its  fullest  degree  the  honor  that  has  been  done  to  this 
state  by  the  visit  of  the  Secretary  of  State  to  join  with  us  in  an  endeavor 
to  write  such  legislation  as  shall  be  for  the  protection  of  our  state, 
of  our  people,  of  our  civilization  upon  this  coast  and  the  honor  of  the 
nation  and  of  our  relations  with  the  sister  nations  of  the  earth. 

We  realize  that  the  visit  of  the  Secretary  of  State  upon  a  mission  of 
this  characterr  traversing  the  continent  from  coast  to  coast  to  co-operate 
with  us  to  the  end  that  we  are  seeking,  marks  an  era  in  American 
politics,  marks  a  degree  of  advance,  which  we  believe  will  be  for  the 
benefit  of  the  nation  at  large  and  the  conduct  of  public  affairs  hereafter, 
in  that  it  brings  the  national  government  into  closer  touch  with  the 
individual  states  and  marks  a  further  advance  in  making  of  the  states 
each  a  closer  integral  fact  with  the  great  family  of  states  of  which  this 
nation  is  composed. 

Mr.  President,  I  beg  further  to  express  upon  the  part  of  this  Legis 
lature  our  profound  appreciation  and  gratitude  for  the  interest  which 
has  been  taken  by  the  national  government  in  the  problem  that  con- 


fronts  the  Legislature  of  California,  and  to  assure  the  Secretary  of 
State  and  the  President  of  the  United  States  that  even  though  we  may 
differ  in  the  phraseology  and  terms  which  we  may  feel  necessary  to 
employ  in  legislation  of  the  kind  which  is  responsible  for  the  visit  of  the 
Secretary  of  State,  that  we  do  it  with  the  profoundest  respect  for  the 
opinions  of  the  President  and  his  Secretary  of  State  which  have 
animated  this  visit,  and  if  we  feel  impelled  to  depart  in  the  slightest 
degree  from  the  advice  of  the  President,  we  still  do  it  with  the  highest 
respect  for  the  wishes  of  the  chief  executive  of  our  nation. 

Speaking  finally,  I  wish  to  say,  and  I  know  that  I  now  express  the 
sentiments  of  the  Legislature  here,  that  it  is  the  purpose  and  desire 
upon  the  part  of  this  Legislature,  in  so  far  as  it  finds  or  can  find  it 
consonant  with  the  duty  it  has  to  perform  for  the  people  of  this  state, 
to  comply  with  the  wishes  of  the  chief  executive  and  that  we  thank 
the  President  and  his  Secretary  for  the  assistance  which  they  have 
given  to  us  and  to  express  the  hope  that  this  visit  may  be  the  fore 
runner  of  further  activities  by  the  national  government  in  assisting 
the  sister  states  composing  the  republic,  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties 
as  parts  of  our  great  republic. 

And  now,  upon  behalf  of  this  Legislature,  I  beg  Mr.  Bryan  to  express 
the  thanks  of  the  Legislature  to  the  President  of  the  United  States 
for  his  interest  and  assistance,  and  to  you  for  the  courtesy  and  kind- 
lines  with  which  you  have  discharged  your  ambassadorship  to  the  Legis 
lature  of  the  State  of  California. 


Gaylord  Bros. 

Makers 

Syracuse,  N.  Y. 
PAT.  JAN.  2 1.1 908 


Vt  28123 


Oaylord  Bros. 

Makers 

Syracuse,  N.  Y. 
PAT.  JAN.  2 1.1 908 


VC  28123 


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